====== History of the Language ======
Ikema is a subdialect of the Miyako Ryukyuan dialect and is spoken on Ikema Island, in Sarahama on Irabu Island, and in Nishihara on Miyako Island. Ryukyuan is sometimes called a dialect of Japanese, but linguistically speaking it is more accurate to say that Ryukyuan is a sister language of Japanese. In other words, both Ryukyuan and Japanese have diverged from a common source which is called Proto-Japonic.

We will learn the genetic history of the language and how it is related to other languages or dialects in Ryukyu and Japan. We will also learn how, through a series of phonological and morphological changes, Ikema has diverged from other Ryukyuan or Japanese dialects.

===== Genetic Relationship =====
Learn about the genetic relationship between Ikema and other dialects of Miyako Ryukyuan, and Miyako Ryukyuan and other Ryukyuan languages.

[[:en:study:history:genetic_relationship|More]]

===== Phonological Changes =====
Learn about the series of sound changes that brought about differences between the languages and how they lead to the sound system of Ikema.

[[:en:study:history:phonological_changes|More]]